How do you figure out what year the engine/tranny is?

[mother_russia]

Got my 1990 325i sedan with a non-running motor. A couple weeks ago, I bought another engine/tranny from a guy that tells me that the engine is from a 87 325i. I need a few new parts for it, and I need to know for SURE what year the engine and tranny were made in.
How do I find out? Where would I look?

[jlevie]

The only external differences between the earliest M20B25 (9/86-8/87) and later production is the water pump and presence of the cross over tube on engines used from 9/87 and on. The transmissions from 8/86 and on are the same.

For the car the engine is going into to you can grab the cross over tube from the engine in the car now and use the late model water pump.

[mother_russia]

The only external differences between the earliest M20B25 (9/86-8/87) and later production is the water pump and presence of the cross over tube on engines used from 9/87 and on. The transmissions from 8/86 and on are the same.

For the car the engine is going into to you can grab the cross over tube from the engine in the car now and use the late model water pump.

im so lost...
the reason I'm asking is because I need to buy a water pump and timing belt kit.
So theres no serial of any kind on the exterior to tell me the year or anything?

[ttrousdell]

He's saying to use the crossover tube off the engine in the car now and put it on the 87 engine. Buy the water pump and timing belt kit for your car (90 325i).

[MR 325]

im so lost...
the reason I'm asking is because I need to buy a water pump and timing belt kit.
So theres no serial of any kind on the exterior to tell me the year or anything?

If you're putting this in a 1990 car then you want to run the late model cooling system anyway. Order your parts for a 1990 325i.

[Kvasi]

My engine tells what year it is made.

[mother_russia]

My engine tells what year it is made.

i think im blind?
where does it say it?

[TobyB]

on a circular casting mark on the head, for one. And from the pic, you can see the 'tee'
hose that marks a late cooling system.

But yes, just buy the parts for your body-they'll bolt to the engine and they will match your car.

No sweat.

t